Top Swakara producers get recognition

Following the successful Swakara international pelt auction held in the Denmark in September , the Swakara (Karakul) Board of Namibia hosted their annual Swakara Industry Forum last week to discuss industry related developments and activities.
The forum was well attended by 70 Swakara producers and researchers. The forum was graced by the presence of Dr Farai Muchadeyi, Senior Manager of Research at the Agriculture Research Council – Biotechnology Platform in South Africa.
Providing feedback on the study, Dr Muchadeyi said the preliminary results indicate that Swakara sheep have clearly diverged from other Karakul and there is inbreeding evident in the population. The research will continue in an effort to find amicable solutions
Later in the evening, the Swakara Board with sponsorship from Agra and Feedmaster hosted the annual gala dinner to award different persons for their outstanding performance and contribution to the industry.
The top ten producers, including the best and second best producer were awarded with prizes sponsored by Agra. The Danie Visser Trust was awarded as the best producer for 2016, while Mr Piet Steenkamp was named as the second best producer.
The Karasberge Karakoel Stoet Wit scooped the Kopenhagen Fur / Agra Limited Merit Award, which grants a sponsored trip to a Swakara auction in Denmark next year.
The “Golden Lamb” was awarded to Mr Dirk Louw and Mr Retief von Wielligh respectively. The Golden Lamb is awarded to persons or institutions with outstanding dedication and contributions to the Swakara Industry.
The award is presented annually since 1979. Mr Leon van Wyk, a Swakara Producer and a member of the Agra Board of Directors was amongst those who received the “Charter award” from the Swakara (Karakul) Board of Namibia.
The charter award symbolises a “thank you” to persons who make a remarkable contribution to the industry. Other Charter Award recipients are: H Duvenhage, P Steenkamp, W Knoesen, D Greeff, R Balie, EJ Hinda and J Möller.
Meanwhile, after the event on the next day, an elite ram auction took place in Keetmanshoop. Andre and Eureka de Jager of Eureka Swakarastoet paid the highest price of N$30,000 for the black Swakara ram of Karsten Boerdery at the auction. And the highest price of N$25,500 paid for a white Swakara ram of Lovedale Farming was also bought by the same buyer.